Briefing: Special Educational Needs: Support in England
This research briefing outlines the statutory framework and current landscape of support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in England, as established by the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice. It explains the two-tier system of SEN Support and Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and provides key statistics, including that over 1.7 million pupils were identified with SEN as of January 2025.
The briefing also highlights recent developments, including the government’s upcoming Schools White Paper on SEND reform, financial pressures on local authorities, and the Education Committee’s September 2025 report on solving the SEND crisis. Key recommendations from the report include maintaining statutory entitlements, promoting early intervention, establishing national standards, reviewing funding, and mandating SEN training for teachers.
